What are the most fragrant flowers?

A garden should delight all the senses—and that includes your nose. While beauty may draw the eye, fragrance is what lingers in memory. If you’re looking to create a garden filled with heavenly scents, planting fragrant flowers is the key to making your space irresistible to both people and pollinators.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best fragrant flowers to grow, from sweet-smelling classics to aromatic powerhouses that thrive in home gardens. Whether you’re starting a cutting garden, designing a cottage border, or just want to make your evening stroll magical, these blooms will fill the air with joy.

Why Do Flowers Smell?

The sweet scent of flowers isn’t just for our enjoyment—it’s part of a flower’s survival strategy. Fragrance is a natural way for plants to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even moths. Different flowers release specific scents to appeal to their preferred pollinators. For example:

• Sweet, light scents attract bees and butterflies
• Musky or night-blooming scents draw in moths and bats
• Fruity or spicy notes may entice beetles or flies

The scent comes from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by petals, especially during peak pollination hours. The result? An invisible cloud of aroma that signals “come hither” to nature’s helpers—and gives us one more reason to fall in love with flowers.

Why Choose Fragrant Flowers for Your Garden?

• Aromatherapy at Home – Scents like lavender, jasmine, and rose can ease stress, lift your mood, and create a calming atmosphere
• Attract Pollinators – Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to fragrant blooms
• Multi-Sensory Design – Fragrance adds a whole new layer of depth to your garden experience, especially near paths, patios, and windows

Top 10 Best Fragrant Flowers for Home Gardens

Here are the most beloved and beautifully scented flowers to plant, with care tips and variety recommendations:

1. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Few plants rival lavender for fragrance and function. Its fresh, herbal aroma is instantly calming, and it thrives in sunny, well-drained spots.

• Best Varieties – ‘Hidcote’, ‘Munstead’, and ‘Grosso’
• Bonus – Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant

2. Roses (Rosa spp.)
Nothing says classic fragrance like a rose. Old garden roses and English varieties are especially rich in scent.

• Best Varieties – ‘Gertrude Jekyll’, ‘Mister Lincoln’, ‘Madame Isaac Pereire’
• Tip – Plant near patios or paths for maximum enjoyment

3. Jasmine (Jasminum spp.)
Sweet and exotic, jasmine’s nighttime blooms fill warm evenings with intoxicating perfume.

• Best Varieties – ‘Common Jasmine’ (J. officinale), ‘Arabian Jasmine’ (J. sambac)
• Tip – Needs support to climb and thrives in warm climates

4. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
This low-growing flower pumps out a honey-sweet scent and makes a great border or container plant.

• Best Varieties – ‘Snow Princess’, ‘Carpet of Snow’
• Bonus – Pollinator favorite and self-seeding

5. Stock (Matthiola incana)
A cool-season favorite, stock is grown for its spicy-clove fragrance and vertical flower spikes.

• Best Varieties – ‘Vintage Mix’, ‘Iron Series’
• Tip – Plant in spring or fall for best blooms

6. Peonies (Paeonia spp.)
Peonies aren’t just beautiful—they smell divine, especially heirloom varieties.

• Best Varieties – ‘Sarah Bernhardt’, ‘Festiva Maxima’, ‘Duchesse de Nemours’
• Tip – Provide support to hold up large blooms

7. Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
This summer bloomer fills the air with a soft floral scent and comes in a range of colors.

• Best Varieties – ‘David’, ‘Bright Eyes’, ‘Nicky’
• Bonus – Attracts butterflies

8. Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris)
The quintessential spring fragrance. Lilacs bloom in clusters and perfume entire gardens.

• Best Varieties – ‘Miss Kim’, ‘Sensation’, ‘President Lincoln’
• Tip – Prune right after flowering to promote next year’s blooms

9. Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)
With its rich, vanilla-cherry scent, heliotrope is a hidden gem for containers and borders.

• Best Varieties – ‘Marine’, ‘Fragrant Delight’
• Tip – Loves full sun and consistent moisture

10. Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
An intense evening fragrance makes this flower a favorite in perfumes and moon gardens.

• Best Varieties – ‘The Pearl’, ‘Single Mexican’
• Tip – Grows from tubers in warm climates or containers

Where to Plant Fragrant Flowers for Maximum Effect

• Near Entryways – Greet guests with sweet scents
• Along Garden Paths – Create a sensory stroll
• Under Windows – Let breezes carry fragrance inside
• Outdoor Seating Areas – Enhance your patio or porch experience

Final Thoughts – Let Fragrance Be Your Garden’s Signature

Your garden is your sanctuary—and adding fragrant flowers makes it truly unforgettable. Whether you plant just a few or design an entire perfume path, the scent will weave through your space like a memory made tangible.

Looking for heirloom varieties or fragrant flower gift sets? Visit our curated collection of garden favorites at the Celtic Farm.